Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Friday of the fourth week in Ordinary Time, February 7, 2025

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Hebrews 13: 1-8; Rs psalm 27: 1.3.5.8b-9abc; Markus 6: 14-29 OUR HEARTS SPEAK   Our meditation today has the theme: Our Hearts Speak. There was a young man who was liked by three of his female friends. Each of them had the same desire, namely to be married to the young man. In a state of dilemma, he consulted his parents. His father and mother gave all the necessary considerations. Then the son was given all freedom to decide. His mother said, "Listen to your heart, and make the best choice."   Generally, we understand our hearts keep the truth that has a high moral demand. The heart is the final decision after going through various considerations and analysis. Discussions, dioalogues and consultations are generally useful to provide enlightenment and broader understanding. We also often use inputs or criticisms as the necessary factor to provide balance in thinking and discussion. In the end, the decision is indeed the result of a sincere and clear heart.   We know that the word of the heart is the voice of our conscience. God chooses to dwell in our conscience. So when we think calmly, peacefully, positively and in a prayerful atmosphere, the words of our conscience will certainly contain goodness, praise and gratitude to God, liberating truth, and joy that brings peace. On the other hand, if we are overwhelmed with hatred, anger, pride and all kinds of lusts, then the word conscience always contains evil and sin. Our heart says a lot depends on our intentions, desires, interets and feelings as human beings.   Our readings today illustrate two very opposite examples of the word from our consciences. The first is the heart of a believer, as described by the Letter to the Hebrews. This is an image of a believer who is concerned with goodness, so he avoids evil deeds. He depends on his life in God's will and armed with God's mercy, he truly believes that his life is so dependent and blessed by God. In turn, he will be a blessing and a channel of grace for others.   The second is the heart of a non-believer and who lives in a system of jungle laws. This system of life allows those who are strong and powerful to destroy those who are weak and who bring the truth. King Herod had a wicked and sinful heart. There was no love and truth in his heart. His heart commanded him to lie rather than truth, bring darkness rather than light, do chaos rather than peace, spread hatred rather than love.   We can ask ourselves now in this way: is my current situation mostly marked by a good and right heart, or a wrong and evil heart? Let us pray. In the name of the Father... O Lord Jesus, purify our hearts so that we may renew to living in Your righteousness. Our Father who art in heaven ... In the name of the Father...